The View - November 2013 by The View News

Outsi g n d oi

The View

Read about homeless teens on pages 11-13

VOL.VIII NO. 1 NOVEMBER 2013

C CONTENTS

Zoo Comes to Castle View Optional Change The Man in Blue High School Never Ends Access Denied Living on the Streets View Point The Motto to Live By A Puzzling Dilemma A Pivotal Election Passion for Singing Model Citizens Crossing the State Line Double Threat A League of Their Own International Flavor Ace on Diamond Setting High Four Leading Men

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5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 17 18 20 20 21 22 22 23 23 23 24

The View VOL.VIII NO. 1 NOVEMBER 2013

RUndOwn We only have about

TwO OPTiOnS. It’s either SOCiALiZE, or iSOLATE

ATTEMPT done in the commons.

ourselves and Dead cats are purchased by CV every year for teacher Charlie Glinche’s human anatomy and physiology classes.

iOS

Crashed the Douglas County district servers on its release date, Sept. 18. The district blocked all downloads from Apple until 2 days after the release.

19:1 Castle View’s ratio of students to teachers

to get work

Rachael Robinson ‘16 on Student Option Wednesday. See p. 6

1/2 Of

HOMELESS teens spend at least

one day every

MOnTH without

food See pages 12-13 to learn about the struggles of homeless teens in denver. theviewnews.com

Douglas County

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER Perfect opportunity for your teams, clubs and organization to grow!

CHALLENGE GAMES TEAM BUILDING

HIGH ROPES

ZIPLINING

Self-confidence, Friendships and Fun 303-387-0720 / dcsdoutdooreducation.com 4

VISIT THE DCSD OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER theviewnews.com

We brought a zoo

Photos by: Bailey Garner

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Student Wednesday OPTION

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incorporates the content from a particular subject. “They’re pretty complicated assessments, and (teachers) need to be trained on how to write them,” Principal James Calhoun said. “It’s not like writing a test for a classroom or getting in a quiz or something like that. Part of a teacher’s evaluation also includes how well students perform on these assessments.” To provide teachers the time to

Students wait for the gate to be raised in the com-

of Student Option have been debated by students, some of whom miss the time to work with teachers. Photo by Bailey Garner

the loss of Wednesday advisements, since it leaves them only two 30-minute time periods per week to get extra help from teachers.

They take away a chance for students to go talk to their teachers and make up important school work, sophomore Paige Granie said. “I academically, and I didn’t realize how much I used it until it was gone.” Sophomore Shelby Taylor agreed. “Advisement is really important to me because I’m a student athlete and it’s really hard for me to get all my homework done at night,” she said. “Advisement is great extra time for homework and studying.” But Principal Jim Calhoun said that opportunity is still available, along with other options. “We still want students to take advantage of getting homework done, tutoring, doing those things in the auditorium where every other week we have a guest speaker,” Calhoun said. Still, Robinson remains unconvinced Student Option Wednesday is for the better. “I enjoy it as a social aspect,” she said. “But we’re over capacity as a school. So everything’s really crowded, and it’s hard to get around. I don’t really have any other option but to socialize. It’s not really turning out as the extra academic time that it was advertised to be.”

Every Wednesday morning for 30 minutes before school starts, teachers work to develop performance-based assessments to effectively measure students’ progress. These assessments are required by the state as part of its new teacher evaluation process. But because Castle View runs on a fourby-four block system, as opposed to the eight-period block model used by the district’s other high schools, it must develop its own assessments. “It’s a matter of the whole staff learning what . . . we have to create, and then how to do it,” chemistry teacher Ryan McClintock said. “So right now we’re being educated, because this.” From the beginning of school through early October, teachers met with district assessment specialists to learn how to develop tests that ask students to apply critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to a real-world scenario that

SIDES

CHOICES

STUDENT OPTION LIMITS

It’s called Student Option Wednesday -- a late start that eliminates advisement and allows many students to sleep in while providing teachers with time to plan for new, state-required assessments. But some students describe the change as frustrating and confusing and one that offers fewer options rather than more. “I don’t get why it’s called Student Option Wednesday,” sophomore Rachael Robinson said. “We only have about two options. It’s either socialize or isolate ourselves and attempt to get work done in the commons.” Student Option Wednesday works like this: First period starts at 8:15 a.m. and students no longer have advisement. From 7:40 a.m. until then, teachers focus on assessment planning. Security gates are lowered in front of the upstairs and downstairs hallways to keep students from accessing the classrooms until 8:10 a.m. Students can gather in the commons, work in the library, or attend seminars in the auditorium every other Wednesday. For students who can drive themselves to school, Student Option Wednesday is a great opportunity to get some extra sleep. “I enjoy sleeping in,” junior Alex Prehm said. “Student Option gives me 30 extra minutes of much needed rest in the middle of a stressful school week.” But for students like Robinson who ride the bus, more sleep on Wednesdays isn’t an option. Buses arrive at school at the same time they would any other day. Many students say they are frustrated by

TEACHERS SEE BOTH

By Sydney Dean

time in the school day, Calhoun said. That’s why Student Option Wednesday, which trades advisement time for teacher planning time, was created. Teachers are now meeting in content areas to develop assessthey teach. “Our performance task is going to look something like asking purposes,” art teacher Amanda Kerr said. For another subject, such as world languages, the assessment would look differently. ““Take ASL for example,” said Japanese teacher Thor Kjeseth, content lead for world languages. “They’re putting together a project where students would get a paid job at a summer camp to help hearing kids learn ASL. With all the world languages, we’re basing that off that same task, but tailoring it to Teachers said they hope the aswhat’s being taught in class. a class naturally,” McClintock said. “That’s what we’re trying to do so it doesn’t seem like a separate event.” Whether or not the assessment is an effective measurement tool remains to be seen, several teachers said. “I have no idea whether this will McClintock said. “It’s another test you now? I mean, you take the state tests, and you get a report that tells you how you did. So I guess you can say it’s conducive feedback. . . I guess, ultimately, the goal would be the teachers to get the feedback and the district to get the feedback and then maybe things will be adjusted accordingly.”

d e i f i s s a l c e Drity: Officer TOocdtdobeWre2s5t

AuByt:hMoegan Kemper Date:

Meet the new man in

BLUE

What did you do before you became a police officer?

Get to know Officer Todd West, Castle View’s new school resource officer, who has been with Castle Rock police for almost seven years.

I was in the Army. I did six years as an infantryman. I did my basic in Fort Benning, Ga., and then a year-and-a-half at Fort Riley, Kan. And then Camp Kacey, Korea, which is 12 miles south of the DMZ. I was over there for 15 months, and then reenlisted for three more years to Fort Carson . . .

Did you want to be an officer when you were a kid? No, no, no, no. My father was in law enforcement -- he was a deputy sheriff up in north Idaho, where I’m from, so I’ve seen it, didn’t want to do it, and went into the military. I wanted to be like the Navy Seal special forces guy, and then turned around to where family was more important than going off for long periods of time and coming home not knowing my kids. So that’s why I got out of the service . . .

What’s the most awkward situation you’ve been in? A: Probably adults and kids, when I was working patrol at night at parks or behind schools, making out in cars. And then really awkward when you know who they are. That’s really awkward, because you’re like “Dude, really?”

Would you rather have no eyebrows or a uni-brow? I would say no eyebrows . . . you could always say they’re bleached, because a uni-brow everybody would point at you -- like the caveman commercial. You don’t want to be the caveman Geico guy. And you could always pencil in your eyebrows.

How do you feel about becoming the CV school resource officer? It’s awesome! I’ve been training with (former School Resource Officer Don) Hedges for a good four years. It’s something I always wanted to do. I love working with kids -- they’re funny, I mean I’ve got four of my own. So not only do I torture them at home, I can come here and torture them here as well. I find that working with kids is a lot easier than working with adults. They have more outlook and broad spectrum in their thinking.

What’s your favorite action movie? There’s two. When I was over in Korea, every Friday night if we weren’t out in the field training, we could watch “Predator,” the first one, of course. So I know that moving forward and back. My kids hate it when we watch it because I’m reciting the words. And then “300.” It’s a really good movie.

Where have you always wanted to visit? Alaska would be cool. I’d love to go up there, the mountains and the wildlife, and same with like cross country, Switzerland, that’d be fun. I love the mountains.

What’s your favorite song and what artist have you seen in concert? It would be “Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave. The last (concert) I saw was LMFAO and the Black-eyed Peas, when they played at the Pepsi Center. But I would love to see Mäc Härder -- that’d be awesome. theviewnews.com

THE FEW THE FOUR

LIN

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STEM

HY SU M T O

By Rachel Deyoe

TIM

Their lives are sort of like those of high schoolers. colleges, search for scholarships and check grades. test stress. Alongside the students, they feel the counselors, always behind the scenes, but always

Once a counselor at Douglas County High School, Timothy Sumerlin was drawn to the programs offered at Castle View. “They had an opening and I was very intrigued by the academy setup,” he said, “so I interviewed and they said yes. I wanted to do something different.” Sumerlin was not disappointed in his search for something special. “We have a very kind community here,” he said, “a community that’s very unique and good.” Although Sumerlin has counseled “I tried teaching for a while,” he said, church.” The career switch was a good choice. “Two things make it a great

work with. Staff here -- they’re great. The second thing is the kids. We have a wonderful bunch of kids.” For a Sumerlin, one of the biggest comes from advances in technology.

I SENT MY FIRST EMAIL IN ABOUT 1996,

he said. Technology improvements have allowed Sumerlin to experience

when working with staff and parents. Still, the focus remains on students. “We do whatever helps a student be successful,” Sumerlin said. “We do academics, social and emotional . . . kids that aren’t getting along with their parents, kids that get pregnant or do drugs . . . kids that struggle.” The most challenging part of working with students, he said, is “getting them to get a vision for their future.”

“I love talking to people about their lives,

“Yesterday, I saw 25 kids one-on-one,” he said. “The day feels like it goes by in 15 minutes.” Teen years are “a rough time in human development,” Kellar said. “A lot of our students are way too hard on themselves.” He also deals with “crises which require immediate attention” that are often “family-based issues.” On a more day-to-day basis, Kellar handles transitions, such as the change from middle school to high school and high school to college.

them,” she said. For Golden, being there for students is a task ranging from small issues to big said. But there is more to it than that. There are many instances of cutting, in which teens deliberately harm themselves with sharp instruments, she said. There are also issues such as “depression, anxiety and panic attacks . . . We do a lot of drama.” The biggest challenge, according to Golden, is that “sometimes kids don’t Kids don’t think the rule applies to them. They think they can be that Albert grade. I know they could succeed and do really well, but they don’t.” with graduating begin long before a student arrives on campus each day. “I think there’re a lot of things in their lives that we have no control over,” she said. “So no matter how hard-working they are or how smart they are, that stuff can get in the way and there’s nothing I can do about that. So that’s really hard.” But Golden has also seen some uplifting successes. “I had a student who probably had more things happen to them than the rest of the school combined,” she said. “Terrible personal things that really affected their wanting to come to school, ished school over summer and got their diploma. And they really deserved it.”

me into counseling.” Today, after 13 years in the position,

themselves unable to graduate. “When they don’t make it . . . it’s hard on them and their family,” he said. “I have to believe they have a chance, but sometimes things happen in life.” Kellar has witnessed the differences among the academies. Before counseling for BHS, Kellar worked with VPA students. “It’d be fun to switch academies smile, “to see what it’s like.” For now, counseling in BHS presents Kellar with a fun challenge. “BHS kids tend to be very compliant,” he said,

SO IT’S FUN FOR ME TO GET THEM TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

LGC

BHS

“Sometimes you don’t consciously choose,” said Aaron Kellar, when asked why he chose counseling as a career. Kellar was introduced to the idea of counseling by his genetics teacher. “He said I was good with science and with people so I should go into genetic

SH E

VPA

After 1 ½ years working as a children’s therapist at Women’s Crisis Center, Heather Golden inadvertently stumbled upon her counseling career. “I started out thinking I wanted to be a teacher,” she said, “but I’m not very good at the discipline side of things. I knew I wanted to work with kids, so counseling sort of found me.” After two years here at Castle View,

IE LANG R R

ON ST

N K EL L O R

ER GOL TH

Every day, they examine schedules, arrange visits with They experience all the high school drama from breakups to heartbreak of failure and the elation of success. Meet the CV engaged and invested in students’ lives. HE A

HEADL

Sherrie Langston, with 16 years

changes in the way counselors work with students. Especially during testing times, she said counselors are “more pulled away from the students.” This lost time is

it takes away from the most important reason she became a counselor. “I wanted the one-on-one with the kids,” she said. “I wanted to be able to talk to them more.” During those one-on-one sessions, certain issues come up more frequently than others. “Bullying is an issue,” she said, as well as “college stress, application processes, scholarships, and students with test anxiety.” In dealing with test anxiety, Langston is an expert. “There’re actually some good websites I always give students,” she said. She also suggests tips for actual test-taking.

IF YOU’VE BEEN STUDYING YOU’LL BE OK, DON’T GET HUNG UP ON ONE QUESTION. Although tests and college stress may be some of the most common challenges among students, they are only a part of an overarching challenge about counseling high school students, Langston said, is “keeping them motivated and helping them believe they can do it.” hold, Langston answered without pause when asked what was the best thing about it: “Students. You guys make it worthwhile.”

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Tech-NO-logy

The struggle behind blocked sites

By Delaney Schoenfeldt of sophomore year ready to learn.

class, she decides to quickly check Facebook. But, unfortunately, she has forgotten the school has certain websites that are blocked, such as Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, Pandora and Spotify. She sighs as she moves to switch off the Wi-Fi and use her data. Like many of her peers at Castle View, Wilde doesn’t understand why websites are blocked on the school Wi-Fi. Most of the time, blocks hardly cause a problem for students with access to an iPhone. In fact, many “I don’t like blocked sites because they’re pointless,” freshman Lauren Osborne said. “Kids go on all of the blocked sites anyway, on their phones. Plus, some sites that could be used for research are blocked, making things even more complicated.” For sophomore Kaeli Almich, who doesn’t have an iPhone, access to blocked sites means her access to resources also is limited. “I need the school Wi-Fi in order to go on my iPad,” she said. “It’s not really fair that they block so many things, in my opinion.”

10 theviewnews.com

websites are blocked to protect students. “I mean, it’s pretty self-explanatory,” CV’s library tech specialist Ryan Whitenack said. “It’s either because of content or because the site or program takes up too much bandwidth on your computer.” CV administration actually has no authority over which sites are blocked. That decision is made by use called iBoss, which is enforcing federal law. The Children’s Internet Protection Act requires all elementary and secondary schools that receive federal technology funding to enforce blocked sites and software. This act applies to both minors and adults. In other words, to get the necessary funds from the federal blocked sites must take place. The district does have the power to are appropriate to use, though. For example, one of the categories on contain or discuss art. If the district doesn’t want that, then it won’t use

“Most of it is district decision,” he said. “I mean, I can send them a tip of something that I think should be blocked -- which I’ve never done because, personally, I’m pro open-Internet. But some things should be blocked. Some things, like downloads, are dangerous.” Some students say the blocks don’t stop them from accessing what they want. One student who does not want to be named for privacy reasons tells how he does it. it. People told me how to do it, too. Some sites should be blocked, I get that. But sites like YouTube and Facebook shouldn’t be,” the student said, shrugging. “It’s honestly not a big deal. They shouldn’t even bother blocking it because of how easy it is to get past the blocks.” These are some of the The bell is about to ring filter categories that just as Wilde walks into her secthe school has from ond-period class. She iBoss: -dating and personal quickly switches back websites on the Wi-Fi after -porn or nudity websites -violence and death websites ing Facebook. -adult content websites No problem at -video websites all. -web proxy websites -bikini/lingerie websites

does have some say in what happens.

Going

Outside The Castle Rock. Nestled between Denver and Colorado Springs. Median household income is $85,461. Ranked the 32nd safest city in America. Children are sheltered. Only 28 miles north there is a far different picture. Denver is home to more than 11,000 homeless, who scatter throughout the city searching for a place to sleep, food to eat and, sometimes, just a kind word. While homelessness does not visibly affect the nearly 50,000 residents living in Castle Rock, it is a growing problem. The schools, too, have their share of students facing the challenge of not knowing where they will be living. Just 28 miles apart, Denver and Castle Rock can feel like two completely different worlds. But it’s time to realize “the bubble” only separates so much.

CVHS Bubble

It’s time we should care. 11 theviewnews.com

By Nick Santulli

Homeless teens spend time near the16th Street Mall in Denver. Photos by Nick Santulli

More than 25 percent of former foster children become homeless within two to four years of leaving the system.

http://www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-teen-issues/statistics

12 theviewnews.com

The sun splinters through the Denver skyline, returning warmth lost in the night. In a grassy camp crowded with sleeping bags, blankets and pillows -- just behind the Denver Skate Park at I-25 -- about seven teenagers begin gathering their belongings. One of them, Milo, 20, sits on the ground, petting and playing with his white-and-brown Jack Russell terrier, Abraham. He laughs from under his beanie, showing his wide smile. Soon, he and his friends will make their way into the heart of the city, seeking a hot breakfast and temporary shelter from Urban Peak, an organization just off the 16th Street Mall in Denver that works with homeless youth. Milo, dark-skinned from sitting in the sun with a beanie pulled far down upon his curly hair, moved to Denver from New York a couple of years ago. He had planned to get an apartment with a friend. But it “fell through,” he says, “and now I’m stuck.” Milo, who didn’t want his last name used, is one of Denver’s nearly 3,000 homeless youth who spend their days looking for work, shelter or other help. And that number is rising, according to Urban Peak. In most since its inception in 1998. Mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse are among leading factors in homelessness. “We serve all kinds of kids,” Chris Weiss, development manager at Urban Peak, said. “Every shape, color. It’s our mission to help them.” Located at a corner building at 730 21st St., Urban Peak

Denver Camping Ban

is an oasis for many homeless youth. Weekday mornings, they trek to the drop-in center for breakfast and a chance to hang out together inside a warm room. The organization has a 40-bed shelter and numerous outreach programs. Most days, the center stays open into the afternoon, and teens can take classes for their GED, participate in activities, such as arts and music, and utilize other

calls out from the doorway of a closed building to a passing woman. “I haven’t eaten all day.” The woman continues walking and soon crosses the street. Milo also has encountered unkindness. “I’ve had businessmen call me sick and dirty,” he says. “There are lots of kids OK with this life.” But it’s not what he wants. “I just want to feel normal.” He says he doesn’t know how to get out of his circumstance. He hopes for a small apartment or house, one day, and maybe a family. “I sit on the street,” he says, “because the shelters are grimy and disgusting.” to laugh and smile. They joke and mess with one another. They tell stories and facts they’ve picked up. They gossip and whisper and cling to each other for warmth. They’ve formed what they call “crews” or “families” to help protect each other and provide steady companionship. One cold night, Milo and six friends huddle on top of sleeping bags against a 16th Street bus stop. Often, several of them get up and disappear around a corner. “Oh,” one says, “they’re just going for a walk or something.” But the truth plaguing their underground society, as many say, is drugs. A number of homeless youth use everything from pot to pills to heroin. Several homeless youth say they come across drugs regularly and many agree it only takes once. “On the streets you can’t get help for that,” says Bill, 16, leaning against a building, while readying his backpack to leave. “It killed my brother.” uses pot, but refuses to use any other drugs. And, sometimes, even though they don’t use drugs, drugs are the reason for being on the street. “I was kicked out at 13 by meth-head parents and I’ve been on my own since,” says Little T.K., a baby-faced teen with a near-constant smile, who has been on the streets for six years. “It is what it is. This is what I have and will always have.” As the sun dips below the horizon, Milo walks with Abraham down 16th Street. His curly hair bounces in the shadow of a looming building. He turns down a side street, with a backpack grasped in his hand, headed toward the park behind the Denver Skate Park for another night. Although there are no walls of timber or stone, it is, for now, home.

said that the last thing they want is to arrest those in violation, but they must enforce the ban.

HOMELESSNESS IN OUR BACKYARD

even garner new socks and shoes when theirs become too dirty and ripped. Urban Peak offers case management, clinical services and outreach services, in which they distribute hygiene products, clothing and food. But as the doors of the center close, many homeless youth wander back to the streets. Some walk until night falls and slip into abandoned doorways and bus shelters. Many wait for the kindness of strangers, which sometimes isn’t evident. “Ma’am, can you spare your leftovers?” Jon, a

On May 29, 2012, the city of Denver banned all urban “camping” within its boundaries. The ban makes it illegal for the city’s homeless to sleep in tents, sleeping bags or other constructed outdoor shelters anywhere camping is unauthorized. It carries a possible penalty of one year in jail or

While Denver’s homelessness is often viewed from the street, the image in Douglas County is far different. Within the Douglas County school system, 902 students are considered homeless, and 261 of those attend high school. “It’s families you wouldn’t guess,” said Avaron Kellar, a counselor at Castle View. “They’re from every demographic.” less Student Data report separated homelessness into four categories -- living in a shelter, doubled up, unsheltered and living in a hotel or motel. The unsheltered group is usually most those “living in cars, in rail cars, under bridges and places like that,” said Dawna Searcy, the district’s Homeless Student Liaison. There are nine reported students in this category throughout the district. The highest populated group is “doubled up.” That means those who “are living with another family and their name is not on the rent or mortgage,” Searcy said. Castle View High School had 23 students considered homeless in 2012. Including Castaries that feed into Castle View, the number was 83. Kellar cited rising costs in the area, along with the housing market as contributing factors for homelessness. He believes more students should qualify for being considered limited. The Homeless Student Data report listed the main reasons for student homelessness as family break up, divorce, job loss and eviction, with the top reason being general “These are students facing not only one problem,” Searcy said, “but a list.”

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VIEW POINT T Our View

The biggest problem that Castle View has, like most other schools, is a tendency for apathy. Granted, this isn’t a school-related issue, rather a human-related one. Apathy for the world outside “the bubble” is a struggle every student faces. School can get pretty stressful, especially while juggling AP classes, a social life and extracurricular activities – and all that can become a great excuse for not being concerned with life that doesn’t affect us. Most students, if you ask them, would be better prepared to answer a question about their favorite singer rather than about a war thousands of miles overseas. The most recent example of this student form of apathy has been exhibited with this year’s school board election. Students either don’t care enough to pay comes to an election that directly affects them, students aren’t informed. To be a good citizen within the community, our generation must take the

time to question, to listen to all sides, and to research and explore information

other people tell you because that is the ugliest form of conformity. Apathy is conformity. The school board election is not the only issue students should care about. should care about how we treat the earth – our future depends on it. Do some volunteer work that isn’t mandatory, which goes beyond the 20 hours you need for graduation. Help people less fortunate than yourself, whether down the street or halfway around the globe. Organize a club that forces you outside your comfort zone. Being involved matters. Caring about others matters. There’s a big world outside the bubble. It’s time to get to know it.

The required part of school that you can’t learn in class organizations, thinking of volunteercomprehend. kitchen at the Castle Rock Fraternal Order of Eagles in second grade, it was more of a duty at the time than anything else. As my height and maturity grew, so did my willingness to volunteer.

Ally Orcutt

Volunteering -- a requirement or a reward? Seniors must perform 20 hours of community service to graduate. As of late October, only 139 out of 419 of this year’s class has completed the requirement. But through my personal experience

the Castle Rock Eagles team in the local Relay for Life event through the American Cancer Society. I didn’t realize then the purpose of the event -- all I knew is this was the one night of the year I could stay up all night and spend the evening admiring the hundred-plus decorated candle-lit bags. The following year, I sadly gained a

true understanding of what the event represented when my grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which she survived. The following relay we walked in support of her the track, I realized those decorated lanterns were there in support, honor or remembrance of loved ones affected by cancer. I looked closely at my grandmother’s bag that read, “In mother, mother and friend.” The bag to the right bore only the name and the word “Remembrance.” Reality struck: Everyone had gathered, not to to socialize, but to help raise money to stop this terrible disease that each year kills 7.6 million people worldwide. For the following 12 months, I worked alongside my parents through garage sales, cake

walks and other activities to help raise money for the cause. From that point on, volunteering transformed from a “duty” to “socializing” to “caring.” And since then, I have fundraised my own Relay team, and served as youth involvement chair -- it was my job to recruit more teens. Volunteering 20 hours a month to learn more and earn more to help stop the fourth largest reason for deaths in the world seems well worth it. volunteering opportunities is there’s bigger things that go on in life than if I’m going to beat the crowd to Starbucks in the morning. It’s the part of life you can’t learn in a classroom. Volunteering -- a requirement or a reward?

The View ~ 2013-2014 Staff Editors-In-Chief Ally Orcutt Nick Puckett

Photo Editor Bailey Garner

News Editor Rachel Deyoe

Features Editor Megan Kemper

14 theviewnews.com

Graphic Designer Adviser

Ann Healey

Reporters/Photographers Andrea Alfano Dominique Blache Jackson Chase John Conger Sydney Dean Mark Dowsey Jett Goldsmith Kameron Kimes Nick Santulli Delaney Schoenfeldt Cassie Thompson

times a year by the newspaper class of Castle View High School. All views expressed by the the entire staff, adviser, CVHS administration or Douglas County School District. Colorado High School Press Association Award Winner: 2008-2012

For questions, comments, or to volunteer any story ideas, email us at cvhs.viewnews@gmail.com Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.

abercat

TRONG

When athletic director Derek Cordes walked through the hallways of CV, he saw students getting along. He saw them respecting their teachers. He saw them learning valuable skills to apply to the real world. Still, something was missing. “We need to increase the rigor,” Cordes said. To do this, Castle View needed a new attitude, an ideal, a new level of standard. Sabercat Strong. “The message, the purpose, is the same,” Cordes said, “increasing the rigor while keeping the relationships and relevance.” The increase in rigor is ultimately a push toward a better future, he said. The motto is “to challenge you above and beyond. It’s about . . . making everything relevant for real-life skills. When you leave a situation, we want you to feel like you gave it 100 percent.” For others around Castle View, the motto is more than a challenge; it is also an expression of culture. “It unites us,” math teacher Sally Collins said. “It’s the idea that this place is your home away from home and that these people are extended family. At the end of the day, we have each other’s backs.”

By Andrea Alfano and Rachel Deyoe

Junior Haley Jordan agreed that a big part of Sabercat strength is togetherness. “I think it reminds people of what the school is,” she said, “about being a community, working hard, and doing your best for the sake of the school.” The motto is also important to Sabercat athletics. Junior Nicole Russell, who played on the JV volleyball team, said Coach Amanda Malson used the phrase in practice. It means “you play your best, try your hardest and you will succeed,” she said.

The message, The purpose, is The same, increasing The rigor while keeping The relaTionships and relevance. Cordes talked about the steps that have been taken for Sabercat Strong to make a difference in the school. At the end of last school year, the athletic department held an assembly for athletes. The hope was to create a more rigorous athletic program now that Castle View is a 5A school. At the assembly, Denver Broncos nutritionist Bryan Snyder spoke to students about becoming healthier and stronger. The results, Cordes said, were striking. Participation in the school’s summer strength and conditioning programs more than doubled, from about 300 to 400 students attending during the summer of 2012 to more than 1,000 this past summer. “Students should understand that teachers and coaches will challenge them above and beyond,” Cordes said. “Students should accept the challenge. It helps to be successful to prepare for life.” He hopes to see higher grades and test scores, attendance, pride, people getting along, keeping the school clean and fewer behavior issues. “It’s kind of a culture,” Cordes said. “Of Sabercat Nation.”

if The new moTTo, sabercaT sTrong, SOuNDS fAmiliAR TO yOu, TheRe’S A ReASON fOR ThAT. SeveRAl DiffeReNT cOmmuNiTieS hAve uSeD SimilAR expReSSiONS TO eNcOuRAGe AND BOND TheiR memBeRS.

bosTon sTrong

is a phrase being used by Boston residents to represent their strength as they overcome the Boston Marathon bombing this past April and the following manhunt that shut down the city. It has been called “the phrase that rallied a city” and appears on uniforms and at the field of the Boston Red Sox as they play in the World Series.

sTrong beach is a play on words intended to represent Long Beach, N.Y., which was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The motto reflects the city’s determination to rebuild what was destroyed and not become discouraged, but to grow stronger in the wake of tragedy.

livesTrong formerly The Lance Armstrong Foundation, was founded by cyclist Lance Armstrong and provides support for people living with cancer. The foundation underwent a name change due to Armstrong’s 2012 doping scandal that resulted in him losing his Tour de France titles.

bY andrea alfano

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Come support your fellow Sabercats!

Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Thespian Society

IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR

MAD WEEK

FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IN THE OFFICE

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E=MC

What? By Jett Goldsmith

Students are puzzled with math. Recently released standardized test scores show Castle View freshmen and sophomores are much more comfortable reading and writing than they are areas than in math. And CVHS isn’t alone in that regard -- Douglas County School District and statewide results mirrored the discrepancy between mathematics and language arts. To math teacher Vincent Parenti, the lower scores are indicative of a societal issue. “Math scores across the country are traditionally lower than other scores,” he said. “No one would ever admit that they can’t read, but there are a lot of adults that will proudly admit ‘I can’t do math.’ So there’s a mentality out there that math isn’t terribly important. And we’ve made math such a miserable subject for students that there’s nothing interesting or engaging about it.”

math on the TCAP, taken last spring, a number on par with the districtwide pro-

far upper range on a scale of mean performance in mathematics. And locally, despite the low math scores, Castle View’s results rank well above the state Principal James Calhoun views the school’s integrated math program, which is a unique system based on the combination of many topics of mathematics into a single lesson, as a step in the right direction when it comes to student learning. “I was observing in a math class . . . and I saw a student struggling with a problem,” he said. “I walked up to him and asked him, ‘Would you rather struggle or would you rather sit here and regurgitate problems?’ And he answered continued. “You have to sit here and think about it and construct your own meaning for something, instead of just regurgitating it.” To many educators, the future of mathematics is viewed as bright, research shows. Despite the relative discrepancy between math and language arts, standardized testing scores have been steadily increasing over the years. matics in the district improved by almost 4 percent, a number that seems small until one realizes that there were almost 4,000 freshmen who took part. The key, Parenti said, is to truly engage students.

compared to the district average of 36.5 percent. In reading and writing, they Worldwide, math scores in the United States lag behind those of East Asian nations such as South Korea and Singapore, which traditionally score in the

entertaining, but engaging -- then we will see a change in learning and an increase in testing scores.”

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Out

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@ CvhsViewNews

@ theviewnews

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TURNING POINT

DOUG BENEVENTO

48 District E

BILL HODGES

65 District E -

Barbra Chase speaks about an issue concerning district funding at a student-run forum regarding the school board election. The debate took place at Mountain Vista High School on Oct. 9. Also pictured sitting (from left) Julie Keim, Judith Reynolds, Doug Benevento, Bill Hodges and Ronda Scholting. James Geddes was absent from the forum. Photo by Nick Puckett

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BARBRA CHASE

48 District B

JAMES GEDDES

65 District B

How the outcome of school board election will affect teachers, district By Nick Puckett and Nick Santulli

JULIE KEIM

48 District D

JUDITH REYNOLDS

49 District D

RONDA SCHOLTING

56 District G

MEGHANN SILVERTHORN

35 District G -

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Making a

GREAT NOISE By Andrea Alfano

Hundreds of voices soared Junior Gretta Hutcheon is also through the Castle View auditorium in Versailles, though she began one day last week as 10 differin Saber Singers, too. She has ent choirs from around the state enjoyed singing since she was dressed up, warmed up and sang a little girl and saw the quality of for each other. Versailles, which motivated her “to “It was,” CV choir director Heath be part of something great.” Walter said, “a very good festival.” “I like the sound of it,” Hutcheon The annual Women’s Choir said. “I really enjoy being a part of Festival was held at Castle View this really great noise.” this year, all day long on Oct. 23. Both Hutcheon and Davis enThis was Castle View’s fourth year joyed learning from other singers. to participate. Choirs from as far “We get to see all kinds of as Boulder sang pieces they had choirs and the techniques and prepared for the other choirs, as styles they’re using,” said Hutchwell as received feedback from a eon. “We get to learn from other judge, Leila Heil from the University choirs.” of Colorado. “It’s cool to see what other Every singer has a story of how choirs do,” Davis said. she made her way to the choir and Choir director Walter said the why she loves to sing. festival includes “lots of different Senior Jenna Davis joined choir choirs at different levels.” simply because she likes to sing. She The women’s select choir, Versailles, rehearses in class. The choir recently participated in the annual Going into this experience, HutchWomen’s Choral Festival, held at Castle View this year. “It’s cool to see what other choirs do,” member started out in Saber Singers and was Jenna Davis said. Photo by Ally Orcutt eon said the choir “hopes to better able to make her way into the more select women’s choir, Versailles, which ourselves from what the judge told us, and continue improving to be ready for performed at the festival. CMEA,” a prestigious event the choir will attend in January. “It’s the moments where you get a piece where all the parts are perfect,” Versailles, Walter said, received “lots of good things that will make us a said Davis. “You know you sound really good, the moments where it all comes better choir.” together.”

PROJECT CITIZEN By Dominique Blache

Following a presentation to the Douglas County School Board by four students from Michael Schneider’s and Christina Classen’s Humanities ll class, the district changed its policy for foreign exchange students. The presentation was the culmination of a class lesson called Project Citizen. “I learned a lot,” said junior Thomas Brink, one of the students. “One of the most important things though is that anyone can make a difference.” Project Citizen is a national program through The Center of Civic Education that provides students with the opportunity to participate in public policy process. Its goal is to teach Maddie Morgan and Thomas Brink were two of the eight students who participated students the in Project Citizen. Photo by Megan Kemper importance of their political voice and how they can use it. Classen and Schneider, who teaches English,

20theviewnews.com

introduced the project to their Humanities ll class during a unit on the Civil Rights Movement. Classen said they used Project Citizen as “a way to expose students to an experience-based lesson in changing public policy -- which is exactly what the civil rights movement was about.” Students had to identify a problem, research the problem’s background, look at current and proposed policies addressing the problem, and then propose their own policy to address the problem. “Our students were charged with identifying a group of marginalized citizens (a group experiencing discrimination) and then create a policy to institute equality,” Classen said. One group came up with the foreign exchange policy and the other group focused on proposing paid apprenticeships to CV’s internship program. The four students involved in the change of the foreign exchange student policy were Rachel Decker, Shannon Smith, Evan Avila, Chandra Bolen and Thomas Brink. The students involved in the apprenticeships included Lane Speas, Kaden Rusell, Maddie Smith, Alan Kopp, Greg Connelly and Maddie Morgan “I absolutely loved Project Citizen,” said Morgan, a junior. “I thought it was a great way to get involved in our community.” -- involved with the problem and invited them to attend a community night at CV. “At our community night, students set up a

science fair-style presentation and presented these proposals to the community,” Classen said. Two groups participated in the state competition at the State Capitol in May and won second and third place. “I personally enjoyed going to the capitol and proposing our plans to a large crowd of people that junior, said. The groups presented in front of the Douglas County School Board in early fall.Persuaded by the presentation, the board agreed to allow principals the autonomy to decide how many foreign exchange students, based on available resources, a school can have. “I think this was a great idea and it was a unique way for students to take charge instead of just a piece of paper,” said Dan McMinimee, assistant superintendent of secondary education. The project gave students the ability to deal with real-life problems and generate their own ideas, McMinimee said. “These were all positive changes for the schools and the community.” Morgan agreed. “It was an overall great project that was really fun,” she said. “It wasn’t just another boring project that we just slapped on our teachers’ desks and called it good. We got involved in our community and it inspired many of us to go even further to

The Extra Mile Barton, Dalton make noise at state By John Conger

FOREST BARTON Forest Barton has been running cross country ever since he set foot in the school as

really excited for next year. I think he will be Throughout the season, Barton regularly

surprise, then, if when you ask Sabercat run-

“I hope to get a scholarship for running “ I did OK,” Barton said. “I was shooting season.” performance. “Forest has really grown this season,” As-

“Forest is really pushing the envelope,” he said, “and is going to grow a lot more this next year.”

Savanna Dalton runs in the state cross country meet. Dalton took 20th overall. Courtesy photo

Weight: 137 lbs. Height: 5’11” Year: Junior Age: 16 Pre-Meet meal: Spaghetti

Weight: 100 lbs. Height: 5’5” Year: Sophomore Age: 15 Pre-Meet meal: Plain Noodles

Forest Barton runs in the state cross country meet. Barton took 15th overall. Photo by Ally Orcutt

SAVANNA DALTON Sophomore Savanna Dalton has been one of the top cross country runners this season and she wound up her season in top fashion competition in the 5-kilometer race. “I think I ran well,” Dalton said. Her biggest strengths, said Dalton, who durance and mental strength, key essentials for performing well in cross country. “I really like to improve and get better,” she meet.” And she did just that this season, collect-

picks people in front of her and makes them her target.” Dalton said she loves the individuality of the sport. But she also adds that hanging out with the team and traveling out of state are a couple of “bright sides” for her. The day her season ends she is already talking about next season: “I expect to be in When asked about the outlook for next have a couple kids from the middle school

glenn where she placed eighth. “Savanna is really driven and has a lot of internal motivation to beat everyone,”

year should be even better.”

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The Marching FOOTBALL PLAYER

By Jackson Chase

‘I pour my heart out into my little trumpet’

Every school could use a person like Mason Alldredge. The junior is a middle linebacker and a lineman, but when half-time comes,

Alldredge’s mom, Deanna, is proud of her son’s talents. “It’s rarely done at any high school,” she wrote in an email in which she also sent a picture of Alldredge playing his

coaches in the locker room. iron, marching and playing his trumpet. “There are about six of us that play the trumpet on the marching band,” he said. “I almost didn’t even play the trumpet -- my

Junior Mason Alldredge marches in the halftime show at a Castle View football game. Along with playing the trumpet, Alldredge plays on the Castle View football team.

wasn’t very good.” While in the game, he is a dynamic force on the defensive side of things. “He is super coachable,” Coach Ryan Hollingshead said. “He is one of the smartest and most aggressive team players on the football team.” But Hollingshead also appreciates Alldredge’s commitment to the band. “It’s what the school is all about,” he said, “being involved.” Alldredge is setting a trend with his double duty. “A couple of students on the freshman team have followed in his footsteps on becoming marching football players,” Hollingshead said.

it’s so rare that this picture has made it all the way to Bingham High School in Utah . . . this picture is hanging in their school to encourage kids to do both.” It’s not easy doing both, and Alldredge believes it will be even more challenging his senior year. football and marching band because of my schedule -- I literally never practice for marching band,” said Alldredge. “Any free time I have, I am either doing homework or practicing my routine, which is hard enough because marching and playing my trumpet at the same time is hard work.” But, somehow, it all comes together. “During football practice and both JV and varsity games, I tend to make a couple of tackles,” he said. “During halftime shows with marching band, I pour my heart out into my little trumpet.”

VIDEOGAME CREATES NEW ATHLETIC LEAGUE

By Cassie Thompson

‘It’s about reacting in different situations’

The video game League of Legends is now a nationally recognized sport in the United States, according to the website for Forbes Magazine. The government now recognizes the players as professional athletes, the article states, because it allows foreigners to apply for work visas to come and play. And that grants them the privilege to come to the U.S. for an extended length of time, according to Geek.com. Students, however, are divided on whether or not a videogame can classify as a sport. Some, like junior Jonathan Thompson, think that is a huge step. “Sports aren’t just physical,” said Thompson. “You have to be a team player; it’s about reacting in different situations.” Engineering teacher Michael Milham might agree.

“I GREW UP THINKING THAT SPORTS HAD TO BE PHYSICAL -SPORTS ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT SOMEONE’S PHYSICAL DEXTERITY,” he said. “I suppose that you could argue that it’s physical, because you use your thumb and hands.”

22 theviewnews.com

Milham does think that since competitors are generating revenue from their Soccer coach Jared Neal, however, said that while League of Legends is a big competition, it could only be considered a sport if there were a lot of physical activity. When sophomore Andrew Bender heard about the new sport, his comment was: “Nerds unite.” Bender plays video games on the weekends, but doesn’t consider himself a “gamer,” a slang term for those who play video games. pleasure, or entertainment” and as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill, especially one regulated by set rules or customs in which an individual or team competes against another or others.”

The World’s

GAME

Foreign exchange students bring new flavor By John Conger and Kameron Kimes

Patrick Thieme-Hack Germany

the international culture of the sport, with two players from Germany and

Patrick ThiemeHack, a senior, comes from Hamburg, a larger city in northern Germany. Patrick played defense on the junior

and atmosphere at Castle View are a

Miguel Riesco Spain

Vince Siefken Germany

Vince Siefken, from Braunschweig, a town of about 240,000 in northern Germany, played striker and defense on the varsity squad. He came to Castle View for his junior year of high school and has enjoyed the American culture, food and people. “Castle View is way better than

Miguel Riesco, a sophomore hails from Léon, Spain. He is responsible for early, and here in America it’s the defense on junior opposite.” He likes the way the Amerivarsity. Riesco returns to Spain this can school system is set up. He did say competition in Germa- month. When asked to compare his team ny is at a higher level because of the here with his team at home, Riesco sport’s popularity and large volume was clearly adamant about the bond of soccer players. But he enjoyed he felt with his Sabercat teammates. playing here and was happy on the “When I go back to Spain,” he CV team. my school in Germany,” Siefken said.

High HeatByHeebner Kameron Kimes

lot more interesting than back in his homeland. He also liked his team and the way they practiced. He liked how the team was set up here in America, and observed that practices ran smoother and not everyone was as stressed out as in Germany.

said, “I am going to miss this team so much because we are so much more of a family than my team would be back in Spain.” Riesco notes that in Spain his team would only practice three days here. He also likes the bonds that exist within the school. “People are much nice here,” he said.

Meet Sadie Johnson

By Ally Orcutt

CV’s ace on the

stepped on the mound for varsity softball as diamond a freshman. Sabercat softball, for the first time, qualified for state this season, following a 13-9 season in which the team finished fourth in the Continental League. The team lost in the first round of the state tourney, finishing 16th in state. Heebner’s pitching was a key reason for the team’s appearance at state, coach Caley Mitchell said. “You always have to have a leader on the team,” Mitchell said. “Next year we have three seniors and her leadership is really important.” Mitchell expects to build on the team’s momentum by going to state again next year. “With the freshman having the experience for next year,” she said, “I expect the Junior Savannah Heebner throws a pitch in a team to do really well.” game. Photo by Kameron Kimes. Savannah Heebner eats and sleeps Whenever Heebner steps up to the softball. She has played the sport since mound, the top thing on her mind is trying she could walk and started pitching when to throw her pitch in the right spot. When she was 12. she strikes out an opponent, she usually Now, she’s hoping that experience will does it with her change-up. propel her to a scholarship at the UniverWhen she walks someone, Heebner said sity of Houston. she knows the team has got her back, and The key to her success is to work hard they’ll get the runner out if she tries to steal. and give it her all, said Heebner, who has “God,” Heebner said, “will work worn the same number 17 jersey since she through me to be the best that I can.”

Senior Sadie

what you see on the court, there’s more to

Sadie Johnson sets the ball during a match. Courtesy photo.

I like pasta and chicken or something with protein. In 5th grade when I was 10. I am a setter.

No, I have played every position except for middle blocker, but my other main position is Libero.

I like to listen to music before games -- it just kind of gets me in the right mood and gets me focused for the match.

I focus on trying to play my best Yes, ever since I can remember my number has been 14.

the other team, so that I can pull my team through with a win. theviewnews.com

FOOTBALL LEADERS

By Mark Dowsey

Joe Hunsaker

Trevor Smeeton -

the game of football

at ThunderRidge High School (8-1). The team was tied 3-3 in the Pioneer League. The game result was unavailable at press time.

Kaleb Geiger

Garrett Vidal -

24 theviewnews.com